It was a battle between time and money as the Botswana Softball Association (BSA) decided to risk between compliance and concluding the election contest.
Following the appointment of the president, secretary general (SG), technical development officer (TDO), there were still vacant positions which meant the new executive committee was limping.
A motion was passed that the floor opens for nominations for vice president and public relations officer positions. Incoming BSA president Katlholo Mosimanegape said the venue costed over P20 000 so they had to risk continuing with the elections despite violating the two hours regulations for meetings by the government.
BSA affiliates and leaders agreed that they continue with the elections to avoid possibility of eligible candidates to lose interest and that avoid a constraining task of scheduling another meeting for the vacant positions.
For the Vice president (VP) position Batsetswe Gontlafetse was nominated by Wells International, seconded by Gatalamotho Club, Badikwa Mosweu was voted by Tati and Ghetto Yankees.Mosweu won the VP spot by a close 13 votes to 12 for Gontlafetse. Jonas Letsweletse chosen by Dinare and Raptors Clubs became the public relations officer after winning by 15 votes to 10 for Boingotlo Marope who was nominated by Panthers and scramblers Club.
BSA president urged members to accept and respect those voted into the office. He observed that the Covid-19 pandemic should prompt members to adopt Information Communication Technology way as an effective method of practice for national executive associates.
“Softball has a way of keeping people away that could benefit the sport such as parastatals and stakeholders. Softball has a broad-based clientele some of them are at a distant because of the way communication is done and individual interventions. Therefore, members should be committed to do their work and not take it as volunteering,” Mosimanegape added.
He added that restructuring the league may be uncomfortable for clubs but needs to be addressed. Minor league and major league should be taken into consideration. The number of teams will scare away investors.
Mosimanegape, Abel Mataboge (Competitions organiser) and Puso Kgosietsile (treasurer) did not have challengers for their positions. Monkgogi Thakgathi walked gained a seat as the TDO over Bobby Khupe and Kenneth Kopano.
Same Molete lost the position by nine votes to Nozibonela Payet who received 15 votes.25 clubs voted in the new committee over the weekend during the BSA annual general meeting at Travel Lodge in Gaborone.
